"D" the Ranter is Colorado's #1 Multi-sport MLBlogger. The Rant is written from a fan's perspective and you can count on "D" to tell you exactly how it is. Tried and Tested…There's a reason the Rant kicks ass in Colorado.

Estes but not like testes

I only worked a half-day on Sunday so I was out of work and home by noon. With Naomi staying with us we decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and go on a little road trip.

Estes (Pronounced S-Tes, not like t-estes) Park was our choice for the day 🙂

Not far from Estes Park is Rocky Mountain National Park. I had heard a rumor that we could enter the park free this weekend.

Unfortunately upon meeting the friendly Park Ranger stationed in his little booth at the entrance to the park, I found out my information about the freebie was incorrect.I was prepared for the expense and after all was said and done I can tell you it was money well spent. Below are my oldest Naomi, Hunter and Mylee.

This was a little stream we visited on the way to Estes Park.

Some rock climbing. Hunter and his furry new friend. Alvin here was cute and way to tame. We ate our lunch on the side of a huge rock wall. Our choice,….Subway subs from Estes Park where the $5.00 footlong is $6.00.

The subs taste the same but the thin air allows you to swallow more so you feel fuller 🙂

There were several lakes that formed on the side of the mountain. The word shrinkage comes to mind. When you reach the Visitors Center/Gift shop your almost to the top.

As we neared the stairway I noticed this sign?

No worries, it was beautiful out and all that was left was the short walk up to the peak.

I had to stop twice, the air is really thin up here. Mylee made it first and she posed after she conquered the mountain. My clan minus Krista who is taking the picture. Ruffles aren’t the only things that have ridges, these ones are pretty cool. We spotted several elk on the way back out. One helluva view. Another beautiful mountain lake.

Notice all of the brown? That my friends is from a devastating little fu*ker called the Pine Beetle. When the beetles finish their trek through this state it will have a much different appearance. Remember this movie? Click this to expand This is the Stanley Hotel, local folk say it’s haunted and it’s also where the movie “The Shining” was filmed. Cool place, it’s free to visit and worth your time if you’re out this way. When we turned onto the dirt road about a 1/4 mile from the cabin we noticed this deer hiding in the woods.

The humming birds are starting to get friendly.

It’s not hard to be on top of the world when your family is together and your team has won four in a row. From the very top of the Colorado Rockies let me just say….

JULIA-Thanks, being a professional sports photographer would be a dream come true. My camera is under $400.00 and taking pictures for a living would require thousands in equipment.
DO YOU HEAR THAT CANON? RANTER NEEDS A SPONSOR 🙂

Great pics, D! I love Estes – there’s some funky little shops up there – and the park is always awesome; winter or summer. But there is NO WAY I will ever go into that hotel. Freaks me out just looking at it, LOL Cool to see all your kids together! :0)

D- Sweet looking pictures! My friend and I took a trip up to Estes a few months ago and paid a short visit to The Stanley. We also happen to be a big fan of this show called Ghost Hunters, and they went to the Stanley and had all kinds of weird stuff happen to them. Glad you got to spend some time with the family!!
Emilyhttp://deconstructingthoughts.mlblogs.com/

LUVMYROX-Visiting the Stanley House in broad daylight is a lot different than spending a night. There’s no way in hell I’d spend a night there.
KYLIE-Very cool, Colorado is the best. Maybe I’ll see you at a Rockies game??
EMILY-Thanks, you’re a rockstar sista!…D
JULIA-Girl you own the top 5. Congrats to you also for # 4. You have been a blogging powerhouse for a while now. That’s a testament to your love for your team, your wit, and your ablilty to be creative with your blog. You do a great job.
ASH-Thank you and welcome to the Rant. Your blogging adventure begins from here forward 🙂
JOHN-What’s up you snaggin superstar? Thank you for the props…D

Dang D,
Make me want to go no out into the Everglades and commune with nature.
That would be a good thing if not for the aligators and 20 foot pythons hidden in the sawgrass. lol
Seriously, that is the kind of trip can can bond you with the kids and make them understand more about this big blue marble.
I am jealous of that trip, it looked like a ton of fun.
That might be one of the greatest reasons to live out there. An hour north you got snow, and hour south you got sand, and everywhere you have views to die for.
But then I am a guy living in a flat state.

RAYSREN-I’ve had the same thought the few times I’ve had a chance to dip my feet in one the oceans or the gulf. We all dream and wish for what we don’t have. I long to take a cruise as I’ve never been on a big boat before.
HAPPY-Gladly brotha, you’d be a great neighbor…D